What is Bipolar Disorder?

Bipolar affective disorder or manic-depressive illness is a mood disorder characterized by periods of profound depression that alternate with periods of excessive elation and irritable mood known as mania. Individuals will suffer from extreme mood swings that interfere with personal relationships, occupational function, and daily activities. It is common for bipolar disorder to be apart of a co-occurring disorder, which refers to mental health illnesses that co-occur with substance abuse disorders such as opioid, alcohol or cocaine abuse. It can often co-occur with anxiety disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder and when these disorders co-occur, there is a higher likelihood of substance abuse and suicide attempts. This disorder can be characterized into three types: bipolar disorder type I (BPI), bipolar disorder type II (BPII) and cyclothymia and differences depend on the frequency, duration and severity of the alternating symptoms.

Who is affected by bipolar disorder?

Bipolar disorder affects men, women, children and adolescents from all different ethnic backgrounds and social classes. Like all other mental disorders, this disorder does not discriminate. The lifelong prevalence of this disorder is known to affect approximately one to two percent of the U.S. population. The age of onset ranges from childhood to 50 years of age with the average age being 21. There is nearly an equal male-to-female ratio for this disorder.

What causes bipolar disorder?

Like the majority of mental health disorders, bipolar disorder is multifactorial meaning that many factors play a role in the development of this mood disorder. It is known to have a major genetic component involved in the etiology. First-degree relatives (parents, children, and siblings) of people with bipolar disorder type I (BPPI) are seven times more likely to develop this disorder compared to the general population. Additionally a child of a parent with bipolar disorder is at a 50% increase of having a major psychiatric disorder diagnosed in life. Biochemical factors such as neurotransmitters, which are the hormones in the brain responsible for communication, are also known to contribute to this disorder as well as physical changes in brain regions and environmental stressors.

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Signs, symptoms, and diagnosis for bipolar disorder

A female with severe depression who spends excessive amounts of money or believes she can take over the world is experiencing clear-cut signs of bipolar disorder. A man with suicide ideations who speaks excessively fast and gambles away his life savings in a short period is also exhibiting characteristics of this disorder. Bipolar disorder type I (BPI) is characterized by alternative severe depression and mania which leads to hospitalization or a significant impairment in functioning. In comparison bipolar disorder type II (BPII) is characterized by episodes of severe depression that are punctuated by hypomanic episodes. Hypomania is a less severe form of mania that does not result in psychosis or cause impairments in social or occupational functioning. Cyclothymic disorder is diagnosed in individuals who portray periods at least two years in duration of both hypomanic and depressive symptoms without meeting the full criteria for hypomania, mania or major depression. In other words, cyclothymic disorder can be characterized as a less severe form of it compared to BPI and BPII while lasting for a longer duration.

According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM V), manic episodes seen in BPI must last at least one week in duration whereas hypomanic episodes must last for four consecutive days in duration. Symptoms of mania are included below:

Distractibility

Irresponsibility and erratic behavior

Grandiosity

Flight of ideas

Increased activity associated with weight loss and sexual libido

Decreased sleep

Pressured speech

Depressive episodes must last for at least two weeks in duration and are characterized by the following symptoms:

Sleep disturbance

Loss of interest in activities

Feelings of guilt

Loss of energy

Difficulty concentrating

Change in appetite

Psychomotor agitation

Sadness

Suicide ideations

"Center For Discovery changed my life. I had struggled with a very severe eating disorder for many years before being admitted and through the amazing staff and group/individual/family therapy I am doing well and have been fully recovered for almost exactly one year."

Our Palm Beach Gardens, FL Recovery Treatment Management for bipolar disorder can be extremely complicated as it specifically depends on the whether the individual is exhibiting manic phases or depressive phases and the severity of these phases. If the individual is severely depressed and suicidal then inpatient management is best suited as opposed to a patient who is demonstrating racing thoughts and decreased sleep but who is able to function in daily activities in which that person will most likely benefit from outpatient treatment. Pharmacological therapy is indicated for manic episodes but the specific types of medication depend on the severity of the mania and the presence of psychosis. Mood stabilizing agents and antipsychotic agents are the first-line pharmacological treatment for manic episodes. Antidepressant agents are generally not used in combination with mood stabilizers and antipsychotics as this dangerous combination can worsen an individual’s symptoms. Antidepressants are generally indicated only when the individual is experiencing the depressed phase with no symptoms of mania. When left untreated bipolar disorder can create havoc in one’s life resulting in severe behavioral issues and can also lead to self-harm and suicide.

Our Palm Beach Gardens, FL - Center For Discovery Outpatient Treatment Center specializes in treating eating disorders and co-occurring eating disorders with customized treatment for the individual to get well on the way to his/her eating disorder recovery.